2nd Assignment

Title: Binary Oppositions in Tom Jones.

Submitted by:

M. Anwar Bacha(210033)

Ayesha Saleem(210071)

Kashmala Khattak(210051)

Haider Ali(210058)

Submitted to Ma’am Norah Arif.

Department of English Islamia College Peshawar.

Binary Oppositions in Tom Jones:

Binary oppositions in literature refer to pairs of contrasting concepts, ideas, or elements that are

used to create meaning through their differences. These oppositions are fundamental tools to

structuralist theory which states that the meaning of a text is derived from the relationships and

structures within the text, rather than from individual elements or the author's intent. Binary

oppositions are seen as a way to understand the underlying structure of texts and narratives. They

help to organize and interpret the world by creating a clear distinction between two opposing

elements.(Structural Anthropology by Claude Lévi-Strauss).

Binary oppositions are the crucial aspects of Henry Fielding's novel, Tom Jones. The novel

combines contrasting ideas, themes, and characters. The contrasting elements are skillfully

woven together to criticize the social and moral values of 18th century society of England.

Binary oppositions in Tom Jones include the contrasts between, virtue and vice, good and evil,

nature and society, innocence and experience, reason and passion, wisdom and folly, and

legitimacy and illegitimacy.

In Tom Jones, Henry Fielding talks about the contrast between virtue and vice through the

characters of Tom and Blifil. The main character, Tom, is a complex blend of virtue and vice. He

is a good hearted, generous and inherently virtuous but his certain actions are immoral and fall in

the category of vice such as his intimate relationships with many ladies and women. This kind of

behavior sets him apart from Blifil, who appears good and virtuous but in reality he is corrupt

and deceitful-tells lies and conspires against Tom to undermine his reputation. Fielding

challenges the strict moral rules of his time by showing that people cannot be simply classified as

virtuous or evil. This idea aligns with the post structuralist’s view of deconstruction by Jacques
Derrida, who argued that such opposites are interdependent and unstable( Essay “The Death” by

Roland Barthes”). Tom's character shows that good and bad qualities can coexist, revealing the

complexity of human nature. By portraying a main character with both good and bad traits,

Fielding suggests that human nature cannot be easily divided into favor virtue and vice.

The contrast between good and evil is also illustrated through the characters of Sophia Western

and Lady Bellaston. Sophia embodies goodness, pure intentions and steadfast love for Tom

Jones, showing the epitome of moral integrity. Her character is marked by compassion,

resilience, and a strong morale. She stands in opposition to the character of Lady Bellaston. Lady

Bellaston, on the other hand, represents the evil side of human nature. She is manipulative,

selfish, and driven by desires that lead her to use others for her own gain. She pretends to be

honest with Tom and to want good for him but behind the tapestry, her intentions towards Tom

are morally corrupt. This kind og behavior contrasts with Sophia's honesty and good nature. This

juxtaposition highlights the thematic battle between good and evil within the narrative. It also

adds to the moral complexity of Fielding's novel that how virtue and vice can exist within the

same social strata, often in conflict with each other. Through Sophia and Lady Bellaston,

Fielding emphasizes the importance of inner virtue over external appearances.

The narrative also explains the binary opposition between nature and society. Tom Jones’s

natural goodness and innocence are frequently in conflict with the corrupt and artificial society in

which he lives. Nature is portrayed as a realm of goodness and purity. On the other hand, society

is depicted as a place of corruption and vice. Tom’s character consistently embodies natural

goodness and kindness which are contrasted with the deceit and manipulation prevalent in
society. This reflects Rousseau's philosophy, which argues that humans are inherently good but

are corrupted by societal influences. Tom’s behavior closely aligns with Rousseau’s philosophy,

particularly his belief in the inherent goodness of human nature. Rousseau argues that humans

are naturally good, a concept he called the "noble savage," but this goodness is corrupted by

social constructs and institutions ( Rouseau: The Basic Political Writings).The protagonist, Tom

Jones, exemplifies Rousseau’s "noble savage" through his inherent kindness, despite societal

pressures. For Instance,Tom’s generosity towards Black George, the impoverished gamekeeper,

reflects innate goodness of Tom that remains the same and unchanged throughout his life. In

contrast, characters like Blifil and Thwackum embody societal corruption and hypocrisy, hiding

their deceit and cruelty behind the tapestry of piety. Their behavior parallels with Rousseau’s

argument that society’s structures erode the natural goodness of individuals, leading to moral

decline.

The antithesis between innocence and experience is also one of the aspects of binary opposition

in Tom Jones. Tom Jones’s naive and good-hearted nature is repeatedly tested by the harsh

realities of the world around him. Throughout his journey, Tom encounters deceit and

manipulation in various situations that shape Tom’s character, indicating the transition from

innocence to experience. His innocence and trust are often exploited by more experienced and

knavish individuals. The contrast between innocence and experience is further illustrated through

the character of Sophia Western. Sophia’s innocence and purity parallel Tom’s initial state, and

her interactions with the corrupt society around her highlight the influence of experience.

William Blake talks about the concept of innocence and experience as narrated in his collection

"Songs of Innocence and of Experience." Blake considers innocence a state of purity and
simplicity, which inevitably transitions into experience. This transition mirrors Tom’s journey in

the novel.

The contrast between reason and passion is a key theme throughout the novel. Reason is

portrayed as the ability to think logically, make sound judgments, and act with a sense of

responsibility. On the other hand, passion represents strong emotions, desires, and impulses that

can sometimes lead to irrational actions. In "Tom Jones," there is a clear difference between

reason and passion. Squire Allworthy represents reason. He makes choices based on what's right

and thinks carefully about things. His calm and fair approach guides him through life, showing

us what it means to be just and kind. On the other hand, characters like Tom Jones are driven by

their feelings. He acts quickly on emotions, which often leads to problems. Tom's lively

personality and impulsive decisions show us the clash between thinking and acting on strong

emotions. Tom Jones stands out for his passionate and impulsive nature. He doesn't hesitate to

follow his heart. His passion makes him charming; although, it also brings consequences.

Fielding uses Tom's experiences to warn the readers of the dangers which befall because of

letting emotions rule over reason. Beyond just the characters, "Tom Jones" also reflects bigger

ideas about society. Fielding uses the clash between reason and passion to talk about human

behavior and how to deal with conflicting emotions.( The Triumph of Good versus Evil in Tom

Jones, by Lee Yukyung).

The tension between wisdom and folly is also one of the prominent aspects of binary opposition

in the novel. This antithesis is portrayed through the characters of Squire Allworthy and Squire

Western. Squire Allworthy exemplifies good judgment and moral integrity. He consistently
makes decisions that reflect his deep sense of justice and compassion. His decisions guide Tom

with a steady hand. In contrast, Squire Western, the father of Sophia, embodies folly and poor

judgment. His actions are often driven by selfish desires and impulsive behavior. His behavior

leads to numerous misunderstandings and conflicts. This contrast points out the crucial role of

wisdom in facing complexities in life. Allworthy’s wisdom and benevolence enable him to see

the true nature of people and situations. Conversely, Western’s folly and short-sightedness result

in chaos and confusion.(The Novels of Henry Fielding. The Cornhill Magazine,by William

Earnest Henely).

The opposition between legitimacy and illegitimacy is another critical binary in the novel. Tom

Jones is a foundling. He is raised by the benevolent Squire Allworthy but without known

parentage. It marks him as illegitimate in the eyes of society. This status impacts his social

standing and his relationships, particularly his romantic pursuit of Sophia Western. For she

comes from a noble family and embodies societal legitimacy. Fielding uses Tom's illegitimacy to

criticize the social prejudices of the time. Despite his noble qualities, Tom's lack of legitimate

birth subjects him to scorn and suspicion. However, characters like Blifil, who possess social

legitimacy, are often morally corrupt and non virtuous . This contrast reflects the superficiality,

based on birthright rather than character, of societal values in the 18th century society of England

.From a structuralist perspective, as influenced by Claude Lévi-Strauss, binary oppositions like

legitimacy vs. illegitimacy are fundamental to the organization of cultural narratives(

Structuralism, literariness.org, by Nasrullah Mambrol Nasrullah Mambrol.)

In "Tom Jones," this binary helps to structure the plot and themes. Such oppositions explore the

tension between individual merit and societal expectations. However, Fielding's portrayal also

undermines this binary by showing that legitimacy is not an accurate measure of worth.

In conclusion, Henry Fielding uses binary oppositions like virtue vs. vice, good vs. evil, nature

vs. society, innocence vs. experience, reason vs. passion, wisdom vs. folly, and legitimacy vs.

illegitimacy to explore the complex nature of human behavior and societal norms. Fielding

shows that people cannot be simply classified as entirely good or bad. Characters like Tom Jones

and Blifil, Sophia Western and Lady Bellaston, and Squire Allworthy and Squire Western

illustrate these contrasts. Tom's journey highlights how natural goodness can clash with societal

corruption, and how innocence evolves into experience. Fielding also does criticism on societal

values by comparing legitimate and illegitimate characters. Through these oppositions, Fielding

suggests that true virtue comes from within. He challenges the superficial judgments based on

social status or appearances. This layered portrayal of human nature and society emphasize the

novel's enduring relevance and complexity.

References:
1: Fielding, H. (1749). The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. London: Penguin Books

2: Henley, W. E. (1903). The Novels of Henry Fielding. The Cornhill Magazine.

3: Lévi-Strauss, Claude. Structural Anthropology. Basic Books, 1963.

4: Lee, Yukyung. The Triumph of Good versus Evil in Tom Jones. Literary Themes in Films,
October 17, 2021.

5: Shmoop.com( summaries of all books and chapters of the novel “ The History of Tom Jones”.